Saturday, April 13, 2013

86 miles Record Ride

Yesterday was a beautiful da, sunny and in the seventies, perfect riding weather. I planned to ride to Utica, MS and back. Took the Natchez Trace South from Ridgeland leaving just after 11am. Arrived in Utica at 2:30 pm clocking just over 42 miles. I wasn't sure at that point that I would make it back. After taking a 20 minute rest and eating French fries and a snickers bar I was ready for the return ride. Hwy 27 is pretty dangerous, with 18 wheeler truckers and a narrow burm on the road with grooves to stop drivers falling asleep, but not conducive for cyclists. Managed to get back on the Trace and stayed hydrated and fueled all the way. Within 10 miles of getting back to Ridgeland I experienced a pretty strong headwind that slowed me down quite a bit coming in. Anyway completed 86.4 miles in 6 hours 20 minutes. Climbed 4,275 ft and burned 2,748 calories. Average speed of 13.6 mph and ave. pace of 4:24 minute miles. I was really exhausted when I returned home, but recovered well after a good nights sleep. Woke up with a sunburn. I'll remember to put sunscreen on next time.